More than just a job: Why we love being paramedics

On International Paramedics Day, staff from across London Ambulance Service have shared what makes working in the capital so rewarding.

From saving lives to providing reassurance and compassionate care, our paramedics say the opportunity to make a difference every day is what keeps them motivated. London Ambulance Service is one of the world’s busiest services, with 3,200 paramedics.

The scale of caring for London was especially evident during the June heatwave which brought our busiest ever week. The service received a record 53,342 999 calls during the week of 22-28 June. It also saw the highest number of Category 1 incidents, which involve the most seriously ill patients including people in cardiac arrest or who have stopped breathing.

Cycle paramedic Paul Dodd said:

“I worked on the hottest day of the year and it was a really busy one for us – obviously on the bike you can be pretty exposed to the elements so when you get a call on a day like that you hope it’s going to be inside. I made sure I got shade where I could and kept hydrated.

“It was a challenging day but I think the hardest time was working through the pandemic – we were so busy and people were really sick. But we come to work each day to help in those difficult times.”

Despite the pressures of the role, the uniqueness of London, a bustling and diverse city of more than nine million people, was a recurring theme among staff.

Jack Davies a paramedic at London Ambulance Service, said:

“It’s the most unique city in the world to work in”.

Working in the capital gives paramedics the opportunity to meet people from all backgrounds and communities.

Cynthia Igbinakenzua added:

“I have loved working with people from diverse groups and treating patients from different ethnicities. London is such a multicultural place”.

Sarah Titley said:

“I appreciate the trust that’s bestowed on me as I enter a patient’s house – I am an advocate for them”.

Launched in 2022, International Paramedics Day takes place on 8 July each year, marking the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, often referred to as the father of modern-day ambulance services.

Paramedicine is increasingly specialised. We have teams who have additional training in mental health and advanced paramedics whose training allows them to not just treat people from an ambulance. More than a quarter of 999 calls result in patients being treated over the phone – known as ‘Hear and Treat’. This highlights the expanding role the Service plays in treating Londoners.

Those wanting a career on emergency ambulances need to complete a degree course in Paramedic Science or can follow an apprenticeship pathway.

Chief Paramedic Pauline Cranmer QAM said:

“Being a paramedic in the capital is an amazing role. No two days are the same – you are on the frontline treating your fellow Londoners either face to face or remotely on the telephone.

“One day you could be delivering a baby or saving someone from a life-threatening cardiac arrest. The next you could be part of the team keeping London safe at events such as Notting Hill Carnival, supporting the LGBT+ community at Pride or at Wimbledon making sure everyone is safely enjoying the tennis.

“London is an incredible city, and a great place to be a paramedic”.

For more information about career opportunities at London Ambulance Service, visit our careers page on our website.